More than 70 fake bomb threats have been made against flights operated by multiple Indian airlines this week, Indian media reported on Sunday, sparking fear among passengers and global delays.
New Delhi’s civil aviation authorities have not said how many threats have been received in the past week, but the Times of India and broadcaster News18 reported more than 70 hoaxes targeting both domestic and international flights since October 13.
At least 30 hoax threats were made on Saturday alone.
The global impact of delays and diversions has been heavy on airline schedules and costs.
At least one person – a minor – has been arrested in India, but the threats have continued.
“All others responsible for the disruptions will be identified and duly prosecuted,” India’s aviation minister Ram Mohan Naidu said after the arrest on Wednesday.
“There are bombs placed on board … No one will make out alive. Hurry up and evacuate the plane,” read the identical messages from the suspended account, the newspaper reported.
Among recent flights affected was an Air India flight from Mumbai to New York, with US security officials sweeping the plane after its safe landing on Saturday.
Other flights affected included an Air India plane from Delhi to Chicago, which was forced to make an emergency landing in the far northern Canadian city of Iqaluit on Tuesday.
Canada’s air force had to fly the passengers on.
On Thursday, British RAF fighter jets escorted an Air India Boeing 777-300 after a threat was made against the plane, which landed safely in London.
On Friday, a Vistara flight from Delhi to London had to divert to Frankfurt in Germany.
